CommercialBoeing 737 Crashes In Kazan, 50 DeadA Tatarstan Airlines Boeing 737 crashed on Sunday in the Russian city of Kazan, killing all 50 people on board and spotlighting the poor safety record of regional airlines that ply internal routes across Russia. The son of the president of the oil-rich province of Tatarstan and the regional head of the FSB intelligence service were named among those killed when the plane exploded in a ball of fire on hitting the runway. Pictures showed charred wreckage scattered over a wide area, apparently taken after firefighters had extinguished the fire. Russian television broadcast a blurred video showing a bright flash of light. It also published a photo of the plane's gaping fuselage with firefighters in the foreground.
LinkGulf Carriers Splash The Cash At Dubai AirshowGulf airlines splashed out over USD$100 billion on new aircraft on day one of the Dubai Airshow, underscoring a shift in power in the aviation industry and giving a boost to the formal launch of Boeing's newest jet, as well as to Airbus's A380 superjumbo. Emirates led the buying spree with an order for 150 of Boeing's new 777 mini-jumbo, in a deal worth USD$76 billion at list prices. It also ordered 50 Airbus A380s worth USD$23 billion. With demand from other Gulf carriers including Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways, Boeing announced commitments for a total of 259 of the new 777 jet, previously codenamed 777X, worth about USD$100 billion at list prices - the largest combined order in its history.
LinkGE Aviation receives its largest order of jet enginesGE Aviation received $26 billion in Boeing jet engine orders during the opening day of the Dubai Air Show Sunday morning. The orders from one of them, the Emirates, provides the largest-ever single jet engine award from an airline, according to GE.
Collectively, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways ordered 450 of the new GE9X engine under development for the new Boeing 777X.
GE also received orders for engines for the Boeing 787 and the Boeing 777.
LinkChina Airlines to join LCC marketTaiwan's China Airlines Ltd. is set to become the first carrier on the island to join the race in Asia's booming low-cost aviation market, and will make public its plans as early as December, according to the company's chairman.
LinkQatar orders up to 13 A330-200 freightersQatar Airways is ordering up to 13 Airbus A330-200 freighters. The airline is placing five firm orders and taking options on another eight. It will take delivery of the aircraft from next year, with two arriving in 2014.
LinkEtihad orders up to 117 AirbusesMiddle Eastern carrier Etihad Airways is ordering 40 A350-900s and 10 -1000s, plus 36 A320neo-family twinjets. The airline is taking the regional version of the A350, and is also taking a single additional A330-200 freighter.Etihad says the single-aisle deal includes 26 A321neos and 10 A320neos. The A321neos will be fitted with CFM International Leap-1A powerplants.
LinkEmirates orders 50 more A380s Emirates is adding to its huge twin-aisle orders at the Dubai air show with a deal for 50 more Airbus A380s. “It’s a great aircraft in terms of noise and fuel efficiency per seat,” said Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
LinkBoeing formally launches 777X family with 259 commitmentsBoeing has formally launched its new 777X family with orders and commitments by four airlines for 259 aircraft at the Dubai air show today. Boeing chairman and chief executive Jim McNerney says it is the largest launch in "commercial jetliner history". The firm orders include 150 by Emirates Airlines alone, along with purchase rights for 50 more. Etihad Airways signed an order for 25 777X aircraft, including the first order for 777-8X. Qatar Airways signed a letter of intent for 50 aircraft. Lufthansa, meanwhile, signed an order for 34 777X in September, contingent upon a programme launch.
LinkEtihad orders 25 777Xs and 30 787s Middle East carrier Etihad Airways has placed order for 25 Boeing 777Xs, 30 Boeing 787-10s and one 777 freighter today at the Dubai air show. The order for 25 777Xs covers 17 -9Xs and eight -8Xs. Etihad is the first carrier to order the 777-8X and will be launch customer of the aircraft, which Boeing says is expected to arrive around the end of the decade. It has also taken options and purchase rights on a 12 more of the type.
LinkEmirates, Qatar sign for 777X, Flydubai for 737 Max Middle Eastern carriers Emirates and Qatar Airways are each signing for the Boeing 777X, while Flydubai is taking the re-engined 737 Max. Emirates is signing for 150 777Xs and placing 50 purchase rights.
LinkBoeing looks for proven launch path for 777XBoeing is reassuring prospective 777X customers Emirates and Qatar Airways that it has learned lessons from the troubled introduction of the 787, as it looks to incorporate proven systems into its next big-twin airliner family. “We learn from every programme – things that went well and things that didn’t go well,” says Bob Feldmann, vice president and general manager of the 777X programme. “We know how important reliability at entry into service is to our customers.”
LinkCFM completes ground testing on LEAP-1A engineCFM International says that it has received “outstanding results” after completing ground testing of the first LEAP-1A engine. The engine, which was first powered-on on 4 September, logged 310 hours and 400 cycles during a five-week testing campaign. “We couldn’t be happier with the results we achieved,” says CFM’s executive vice president Cédric Goubet. “The engine ran beautifully and met all of our pre-test predictions. The more testing we do, the more confident we become in the capabilities this engine will bring to the marketplace.”
LinkAlpha Star Aviation orders ATR 72-600Saudi Arabian private aviation operator Alpha Star Aviation Services has placed an order for one ATR 72-600 and one option. The firm-order aircraft is scheduled for delivery in September 2014, and will be the first ATR 72-600 operating in the Middle East region. It will join an a smaller ATR 42-600 that is already in the company’s fleet.
LinkUK prime minister David Cameron makes surprise visit - Dubai Air Show UK prime minister David Cameron made a surprise visit to the Dubai Airshow site on the eve of the 17-21 November event, as part of a tour of the Middle East states. During a brief speech delivered at the UK Trade & Investment stand, Cameron described the aerospace sector as “an absolutely vital industry for Britain”, adding that it also has “real government backing.”
Link787 teething issues will linger for six more months - Boeing Boeing is about six months away from solving many of the 787 "teething" issues that have prompted so many high-profile complaints from customers, a top Boeing executive says. "I think we'll turn the corner vell ry strongly about six months from now," Marty Bentrott, vice-president of sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, told reporters on the eve of the show in Dubai. The 787 has been in operational service for two years, but continues to operate a lower level of reliability than of a mature fleet, such as the 777 type that entered service 18 years ago, Bentrott says.
LinkAvianca Brazil to be ready for Star in 2014Avianca Brazil will be ready to join Star Alliance by the second quarter of 2014, filling the grouping's void in the South American country after TAM departs for Oneworld. "I am positive it will happen," says German Efromovich, owner of Avianca Brazil's parent company Synergy Group. "It will happen in the first quarter, or [at] the very latest, second quarter." Avianca Brazil and Bogota-based airline group Avianca are both majority-owned by Synergy, but operate separately despite having similar brands. The Avianca group of airlines joined Star in June 2012, but Avianca Brazil did not take part.
LinkBoeing secures firm orders for Max in ChinaBoeing has secured firm orders for its 737 Max from multiple Chinese airlines, and says that announcements for aircraft "in the hundreds" will soon be made. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines' assembly of presidents in Hong Kong, the airframer's senior vice-president of sales and marketing for northeast Asia Ihssane Mounir says that a number of Chinese customers will also be part of the launch group for the re-engined narrowbody. "You will see existing 737 operators topping up with the Max and those which have never flown commercial airplanes before start out with Max. You may even hear about flips from those who used to fly [Airbus] A320s to start flying Max," he adds.
LinkSouthwest joins TSA's PreCheck programSouthwest Airlines recently became the eighth U.S. carrier to participate in the Transportation Security Administration's PreCheck program. The program allows pre-approved frequent flyers to go through expedited airport screening. Southwest President and CEO Gary Kelly said in a statement that PreCheck saves time and enhances the passenger experience, "something we are always striving to do at Southwest."
LinkEADS reports 45% jump in Q3 profit on aircraft demandEADS, the parent company of Airbus, reported a 45% increase in profit in the third quarter on a year-over-year basis. EADS attributed the profit surge to strong demand for its aircraft. From January through October, Airbus booked orders for 1,265 aircraft.
LinkLawmakers: U.S. government’s subsidy of foreign carriers threatens U.S. airlines and jobsLegislation introduced by Reps. Pat Meehan, R-Pa., and Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., requires the Department of Homeland Security to assess the effect future Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance facilities will have on passengers, our economy, and security and customs staffing at U.S. gateway airports. "With their commitment to quality and safety, U.S. airlines can be global leaders in commercial aviation. But they can't be expected to compete and win, while our own government tilts the playing field against them," the lawmakers write. At the expense of U.S. airlines, travelers and employees, the administration and CBP are pushing forward with an agreement to open a pre-clearance facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport to the benefit of the United Arab Emirates' state-owned foreign carrier, despite the objections of Congress and U.S. airlines.
LinkLogan to receive runway-scanning system for debrisBoston's Logan International Airport will receive the nation's first runway-scanning system, which can detect foreign object debris on the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration and the Massachusetts Port Authority plan to unveil the system today.
LinkColumn: 10 tips to help save time at the airportColumnist Caroline Morse from SmarterTravel.com offers 10 tips for travelers to make the most of limited time at the airport. She advises travelers to check-in online, bring their own snacks and invest in a sturdy carry-on bag. "Whether you're making a tight connection or you just left your house a little late, you'll zip to the gate without getting lost, hung up at security, or delayed by other people if you follow these 10 tips," she writes.
LinkCarriers focus on boosting services for economy customersSome European and U.S. airlines are improving services and amenities for travelers who fly coach. For example, Delta Air Lines recently expanded its in-flight entertainment offerings using advanced technology and Air France recently increased the amount of legroom in its coach section. "Across the board it feels like everyone is upping the game," said Vicky Loomes, a trend analyst at trendwatching.com. "That sort of influences further down the pricing ladder."
LinkColumn: British Airways uses savory taste to improve food qualityBritish Airways is using an ingredient called umami to improve the flavor of the food it serves travelers, writes Scott McCartney in this blog. Umami is a savory taste found in mushrooms, tomatoes and other foods.
LinkAirlines upgrade first- and business-class cabins for customers The never-ending battle for long-haul premium-class passengers entered a new round in September, when Singapore Airlines introduced upgraded business- and first-class seats and services on flights between Singapore and London Heathrow Airport. The latest in a continuing line of in-flight product improvements by a carrier long considered a customer service leader, the new seats and services may inspire similar upgrades by other airlines.
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Truer words were never spoken.
